36 Questions
What is the function of the digestive glands?
Chemically digest food
What is the name of the cells that synthesize enzymes?
Serous cells
What is the shape of the nucleus in serous cells?
Spherical in shape
What is the function of myoepithelial cells?
Provide structural support
What are the components of the digestive tract?
Mouth to anus
What is the shape of mucous cells?
Cuboidal to columnar in shape
What are the major digestive glands?
Major salivary glands, liver, pancreas, gallbladder
What is the type of gland that digestive glands are classified as?
Compound tubuloacinar gland
What is the function of the striated duct?
To reabsorb sodium and excrete potassium
What type of epithelium lines the main duct?
Stratified columnar epithelium
Which gland has both serous and mucous acini?
Submandibular gland
What is unique about the Parotid gland?
It exclusively has serous acini
Which gland has the shortest intercalated duct?
Submandibular gland
What is the primary component of the secretions from the Sublingual gland?
Mucus
What is the function of myoepithelial cells?
to contract and move secretory products into and through the ducts
What is the characteristic of the epithelium in the intercalated duct?
simple cuboidal epithelium
What is the function of serous cells in the mixed acinus?
to cap the ends of mucous cells
What type of epithelium is present in the striated duct?
simple columnar epithelium
What is the function of mucous cells in the mixed acinus?
to secrete mucoproteins
What is the characteristic of the cytoplasm in the striated duct?
acidophilic
What is the primary composition of the acini in the parotid gland?
Serous
Which of the following salivary glands has a short striated duct?
Sublingual gland
What is the main constituent of saliva in the parotid gland?
Amylase
What is the tunica of the pancreas?
A thin capsule of connective tissue
What is the function of the exocrine portion of the pancreas?
To produce digestive enzymes
What is unique to the pancreas among the secretory acinus?
Centroacinar cells
What is the shape of the serous cells in the pancreas?
Polarized, pyramidal
What is the characteristic of the secretory zymogen granules in the pancreas?
Found apically in the cells
What is the effect of CCK on secretory granules?
Promotion of exocytosis
What is the function of Secretin?
Promotion of water and HCO3− secretion
What is the pH of pancreatic juice?
High pH
What is the function of the exocrine portion of the pancreas?
Production of pancreatic juice
What is the location of the islet of Langerhans in the pancreas?
Tail of the pancreas
What is the function of Glucagon?
Raising blood sugar levels
What is the characteristic of the cells in the islet of Langerhans?
Lightly stained
What is the type of cells that produce Glucagon?
A cells
Study Notes
Digestive System
- The digestive tract is an open, continuous canal from the oral cavity to the anus, responsible for mechanically digesting food and absorbing nutrients.
- The digestive glands, including major and minor glands, are responsible for chemically digesting food.
Digestive Glands
- Components of digestive glands:
- Major glands: salivary glands, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder
- Minor glands: small salivary, esophageal, gastric, and intestinal glands
- Function: to chemically digest food
Structure of Digestive Glands
- Compound tubuloacinar glands consisting of:
- Secretory portion:
- Secretory cells (serous and mucous cells)
- Non-secretory cells (myoepithelial cells)
- Duct system
- Secretory portion:
Pancreas
- A mixed exocrine-endocrine gland producing digestive enzymes and hormones
- Tunica: a thin capsule of connective tissue
- Parenchyma: consisting of exocrine and endocrine portions
Exocrine Portion of Pancreas
- A compound tubuloacinar gland consisting of:
- Secretory acinus:
- Entirely serous cells
- Centroacinar cells (small, pale-stained, unique to the pancreas)
- Ducts:
- Intercalated ducts (simple squamous or low cuboidal epithelium)
- Intralobular ducts (low cuboidal)
- Interlobular ducts (cuboidal --- low columnar)
- Main pancreatic duct (high columnar with goblet cells)
- Secretory acinus:
- Functions:
- Producing pancreatic juice, which is high pH fluid rich in digestive proenzymes
- Neutralizing acidic chyme from the stomach
- Activating enzymes to digest proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids
Endocrine Portion of Pancreas (Islet of Langerhans)
- Rounded clusters of cells, more abundant in the tail of the pancreas
- Cells are lightly stained, arranged in cords separated by a network of capillaries (fenestrated)
- Cell types:
- A cells (20%): producing glucagon, which stimulates the release of energy stored in glycogen and fat
- B cells: producing insulin, which regulates blood sugar levels
- D cells: producing somatostatin, which regulates the release of other hormones
- PP cells: producing pancreatic polypeptide, which regulates pancreatic secretions and glucose metabolism
Learn about the components and functions of the digestive tract and digestive glands, including major and minor glands.
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